check the facts - the truth about illegal migration

News

NEWS

6,553 returns in the first half of the year - fight against migrant smuggling continues

September 2024

On August 7, 2024, Minister of Interior Gerhard Karner, Elisabeth Wenger-Donig, Head of Directorate V/B at the Ministry of the Interior and Karoline Preißer, Deputy Director of The Federal Office for Immigration and Asylum, presented the “return statistics” for the first half of 2024 and shared insights into future priorities for fighting the crime of migrant smuggling and asylum abuse.

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Austria is successfully resisting the international trend in illegal migration

July 2024

In June 2024, 1,835 asylum applications were submitted in Austria, a decrease of 64 percent.

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IOM: 2023 was the deadliest year for migrants

March 2024

According to the UN's International Organization for Migration (IOM), 2023 emerged as the deadliest year for migrants since 2014, witnessing nearly 8,600 fatalities worldwide. This represented a tragic increase of 20 percent compared to the preceding year 2022.

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Austrian-Italian cooperation in combating migrant smuggling

March 2024

Austrian Federal Minister of Interior Gerhard Karner met his Italian counterpart Matteo Piantedosi for a working meeting in Vienna on 27 March 2024. The agenda of their discussions focused on combating human smuggling and addressing asylum misuse.

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Karner: 2023 was the “Year of returns”

February 2024

Minister of Interior Gerhard Karner said at a press conference in Vienna on 21 March 2024 that in 2023 more people were returned than ever before in the history of the Federal Office for Immigration and Asylum (12,900 people).

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188 migrant smugglers arrested in Hungary as part of Operation Fox

January 2024

Since December 2022, 188 smugglers have been arrested in Hungary as part of Operation Fox with the involvement of Austrian police officers.

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Austrian police officers provide support with drones in Serbia

December 2023

Police officers from Austria are helping to strengthen border protection measures on the Serbian-North Macedonian border. Federal Minister of the Interior Gerhard Karner expresses his gratitude to the deployed police officers.

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Tunisia makes significant progress in border protection

November 2023

Austrian Federal Minister of the Interior Gerhard Karner opened the new training center for Tunisian border guards in Nefta during a working visit to Tunisia on 17th of November 2023. The migration situation was on the agenda during the working meeting with the Tunisian Minister of the Interior.

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Significant increase in the number of returns in 2023

November 2023

The number of refugees leaving Austria has risen significantly. In comparison, there were 25 percent more returns in 2023, while asylum applications fell by almost 50 percent.

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Austria organised Dublin charter-return operation to Bulgaria

October 2023

5 persons transferred to Bulgaria under the Dublin III Regulation

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41 migrants killed in shipwreck off Italy's Lampedusa Island

August 2023

A new tragedy has occurred off the coast of Lampedusa. Forty-one migrants have died in a shipwreck off the Italian island of Lampedusa, survivors told local media.

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More than 100 people smugglers arrested in Frontex-led operation

July 2023

On 23 June - 3 July, Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, led an international operation against serious and organised cross-border crime in Central and South Eastern Europe together with Austrian authorities.

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€16.5 Million EU Humanitarian Aid for Pakistan's Most Vulnerable

July 2023

The Commission allocates €16.5 million to aid vulnerable individuals affected by conflict and climate disasters in Pakistan.

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Illegal Migration from India: Consistent returns

June 2023

Currently, the recognition rate for asylum applications from Indians in Austria is 0 percent. Austria is leading internationally in organizing FRONTEX charter return-operations.

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Austria organised Dublin charter-return operation to Bulgaria

May 2023

5 persons transferred to Bulgaria under the Dublin III Regulation

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Austria deports Iraqis to Baghdad

April 2023

Two convicted Iraqis, a 28-year-old man and his 30-year-old cousin, were deported to their home country by the Federal Office for Immigration and Asylum on April 14 and 15, 2023.

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Serious boat accident in Italy

March 2023

More than 60 migrants drowned off the coast of Italy.

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Interior ministers of Austria and Morocco fight against human smuggling mafia

March 2023

On February 28, 2023, Interior Minister Gerhard Karner met his Moroccan counterpart, Abdelouafi Laftit, in Rabat (Morocco). The talks focused on an agreement on increased cooperation in the fight against the international smuggling mafia and faster repatriation of Moroccan citizens who are staying illegally in Austria.

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Austria organised Dublin Charter-return operation to Romania and Bulgaria

November 2022

7 persons transferred to Romania and Bulgaria under the Dublin III Regulation.

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Austria participates in FRONTEX charter operation to Nigeria

November 2022

7 Nigerian nationals repatriated from Austria to Lagos.

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Austria organized Europe's first FRONTEX charter to India

October 2022

19 Indian nationals were handed over from Austria to the authorities in Delhi.

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Emergency aid from Austria for the flood victims in Pakistan

September 2022

As a direct reaction to the acute plight of the Pakistani population, the Austrian government decided to pay out two million euros from the Foreign Disaster Fund (AKF) to deal with the flood disaster in Pakistan.

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Measures against illegal migrant smuggling continue consistently

September 2022

After a trafficking accident, measures against illegal migrants smuggling continue consistently.

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Two smugglers arrested

August 2022

In Burgenland, two smuggling operations were stopped as part of a focal action.

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Providing aid on the ground: Seven million euros in humanitarian aid for Afghanistan

July 2022

Following a devastating earthquake, the Austrian government supports aid organisations on the ground

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More and more migrants die at sea and in the desert

June 2022

UNHCR presents increasing numbers of dead migrants

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Special action against illegal migrant smuggling

May 2022

Minister of the Interior announces to combat illegal migration networks

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441 migrant smugglers arrested

May 2022

Presentation of the 2021 report on migrant smuggling and trafficking

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Syrian migrant smuggler sentenced to ten years in prison

April 2022

A 41-year-old Syrian was sentenced to an unconditional prison term of ten months for smuggling on 11.04.2022 at the Feldkirch Regional Court.

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Austria participates in FRONTEX-charter operation to Pakistan

April 2022

2 Pakistani nationals were transferred from Austria to Islamabad

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Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan: EU to provide 113 million euros in humanitarian aid

March 2022

At the donor conference for Afghanistan on 31 March 2022, the European Commission announced 113 million euros in EU humanitarian aid for the Afghan people.

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Austria organised Dublin Charter-return operation to Romania and Bulgaria

February 2022

10 persons were transferred to Romania and Bulgaria under the Dublin III Regulation

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Austria participates in FRONTEX-charter operation to Bangladesh

January 2022

4 Bangladeshi nationals from Austria were handed over to authorities in Dhaka

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Austrian police officers make important contribution to the protection of the EU’s external borders

January 2022

On 11 January 2022, Minister of the Interior Gerhard Karner deployed 18 police officers to the Hungarian-Serbian border.

Read more

Austria organised Dublin Charter-return operation to Bulgaria

December 2021

5 Afghan nationals transferred to Bulgaria under the Dublin III Regulation.

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Austrian police assist in monitoring the EU's external borders

November 2021

There are currently 100 police officers on international duty.

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Charter-operation to Albania and Kosovo carried out by FRONTEX

November 2021

Two Albanian and three Kosovar nationals were handed over from Austria to the authorities in Tirana and Pristina.

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Humanitarian aid for Afghans on the ground: an immediate need

October 2021

The Austrian Government adopts an € 18 million emergency aid package for Afghanistan

Read more

144 people smugglers arrested in Frontex-led operation

September 2021

On 3-13 September, Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, led an international operation against serious and organised cross-border crime in Central and South Eastern Europe together with Austrian authorities.

Read more

Ten foreign nationals transferred to Romania

August 2021

Five Syrian, four Afghan nationals and one Moroccan national were handed over to the authorities in Bucharest on August 17, 2021. They were foreign nationals who had received a final negative asylum decision.

Read more

check the facts - the truth about illegal migration

News

NEWS

IOM: 2023 was the deadliest year for migrants

March 2024

According to the UN's International Organization for Migration (IOM), 2023 emerged as the deadliest year for migrants since 2014, witnessing nearly 8,600 fatalities worldwide. This represented a tragic increase of 20 percent compared to the preceding year 2022.

Read more

Austrian-Italian cooperation in combating migrant smuggling

March 2024

Austrian Federal Minister of Interior Gerhard Karner met his Italian counterpart Matteo Piantedosi for a working meeting in Vienna on 27 March 2024. The agenda of their discussions focused on combating human smuggling and addressing asylum misuse.

Read more

Karner: 2023 was the “Year of returns”

February 2024

Minister of Interior Gerhard Karner said at a press conference in Vienna on 21 March 2024 that in 2023 more people were returned than ever before in the history of the Federal Office for Immigration and Asylum (12,900 people).

Read more

188 migrant smugglers arrested in Hungary as part of Operation Fox

January 2024

Since December 2022, 188 smugglers have been arrested in Hungary as part of Operation Fox with the involvement of Austrian police officers.

Read more

Austrian police officers provide support with drones in Serbia

December 2023

Police officers from Austria are helping to strengthen border protection measures on the Serbian-North Macedonian border. Federal Minister of the Interior Gerhard Karner expresses his gratitude to the deployed police officers.

Read more

Tunisia makes significant progress in border protection

November 2023

Austrian Federal Minister of the Interior Gerhard Karner opened the new training center for Tunisian border guards in Nefta during a working visit to Tunisia on 17th of November 2023. The migration situation was on the agenda during the working meeting with the Tunisian Minister of the Interior.

Read more

Significant increase in the number of returns in 2023

November 2023

The number of refugees leaving Austria has risen significantly. In comparison, there were 25 percent more returns in 2023, while asylum applications fell by almost 50 percent.

Read more

Austria organised Dublin charter-return operation to Bulgaria

October 2023

5 persons transferred to Bulgaria under the Dublin III Regulation

Read more

41 migrants killed in shipwreck off Italy's Lampedusa Island

August 2023

A new tragedy has occurred off the coast of Lampedusa. Forty-one migrants have died in a shipwreck off the Italian island of Lampedusa, survivors told local media.

Read more

More than 100 people smugglers arrested in Frontex-led operation

July 2023

On 23 June - 3 July, Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, led an international operation against serious and organised cross-border crime in Central and South Eastern Europe together with Austrian authorities.

Read more

€16.5 Million EU Humanitarian Aid for Pakistan's Most Vulnerable

July 2023

The Commission allocates €16.5 million to aid vulnerable individuals affected by conflict and climate disasters in Pakistan.

Read more

Illegal Migration from India: Consistent returns

June 2023

Currently, the recognition rate for asylum applications from Indians in Austria is 0 percent. Austria is leading internationally in organizing FRONTEX charter return-operations.

Read more

Austria organised Dublin charter-return operation to Bulgaria

May 2023

5 persons transferred to Bulgaria under the Dublin III Regulation

Read more

Austria deports Iraqis to Baghdad

April 2023

Two convicted Iraqis, a 28-year-old man and his 30-year-old cousin, were deported to their home country by the Federal Office for Immigration and Asylum on April 14 and 15, 2023.

Read more

Serious boat accident in Italy

March 2023

More than 60 migrants drowned off the coast of Italy.

Read more

Interior ministers of Austria and Morocco fight against human smuggling mafia

March 2023

On February 28, 2023, Interior Minister Gerhard Karner met his Moroccan counterpart, Abdelouafi Laftit, in Rabat (Morocco). The talks focused on an agreement on increased cooperation in the fight against the international smuggling mafia and faster repatriation of Moroccan citizens who are staying illegally in Austria.

Read more

Austria organised Dublin Charter-return operation to Romania and Bulgaria

November 2022

7 persons transferred to Romania and Bulgaria under the Dublin III Regulation.

Read more

Austria participates in FRONTEX charter operation to Nigeria

November 2022

7 Nigerian nationals repatriated from Austria to Lagos.

Read more

Austria organized Europe's first FRONTEX charter to India

October 2022

19 Indian nationals were handed over from Austria to the authorities in Delhi.

Read more

Emergency aid from Austria for the flood victims in Pakistan

September 2022

As a direct reaction to the acute plight of the Pakistani population, the Austrian government decided to pay out two million euros from the Foreign Disaster Fund (AKF) to deal with the flood disaster in Pakistan.

Read more

Measures against illegal migrant smuggling continue consistently

September 2022

After a trafficking accident, measures against illegal migrants smuggling continue consistently.

Read more

Two smugglers arrested

August 2022

In Burgenland, two smuggling operations were stopped as part of a focal action.

Read more

Providing aid on the ground: Seven million euros in humanitarian aid for Afghanistan

July 2022

Following a devastating earthquake, the Austrian government supports aid organisations on the ground

Read more

More and more migrants die at sea and in the desert

June 2022

UNHCR presents increasing numbers of dead migrants

Read more

Special action against illegal migrant smuggling

May 2022

Minister of the Interior announces to combat illegal migration networks

Read more

Austria participates in FRONTEX-charter operation to Pakistan

May 2022

Presentation of the 2021 report on migrant smuggling and trafficking

Read more

Austria participates in FRONTEX-charter operation to Pakistan

April 2022

2 Pakistani nationals were transferred from Austria to Islamabad

Read more

Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan: EU to provide 113 million euros in humanitarian aid

March 2021

At the donor conference for Afghanistan on 31 March 2022, the European Commission announced 113 million euros in EU humanitarian aid for the Afghan people.

Read more

Austria organised Dublin Charter-return operation to Romania and Bulgaria

February 2022

10 persons were transferred to Romania and Bulgaria under the Dublin III Regulation

Read more

Austria participates in FRONTEX-charter operation to Bangladesh

January 2022

4 Bangladeshi nationals from Austria were handed over to authorities in Dhaka

Read more

Austrian police officers make important contribution to the protection of the EU’s external borders

January 2022

On 11 January 2022, Minister of the Interior Gerhard Karner deployed 18 police officers to the Hungarian-Serbian border.

Read more

Austria organised Dublin Charter-return operation to Bulgaria

December 2021

5 Afghan nationals transferred to Bulgaria under the Dublin III Regulation.

Read more

Austrian police assist in monitoring the EU's external borders

November 2021

There are currently 100 police officers on international duty.

Read more

Charter-operation to Albania and Kosovo carried out by FRONTEX

November 2021

Two Albanian and three Kosovar nationals were handed over from Austria to the authorities in Tirana and Pristina.

Read more

Humanitarian aid for Afghans on the ground: an immediate need

October 2021

The Austrian Government adopts an € 18 million emergency aid package for Afghanistan

Read more

144 people smugglers arrested in Frontex-led operation

September 2021

On 3-13 September, Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, led an international operation against serious and organised cross-border crime in Central and South Eastern Europe together with Austrian authorities.

Read more

Ten foreign nationals transferred to Romania

August 2021

Five Syrian, four Afghan nationals and one Moroccan national were handed over to the authorities in Bucharest on August 17, 2021. They were foreign nationals who had received a final negative asylum decision.

Read more